Automatic car washing apparatus and control device therefor



Feb. 13, 1968 D. M. HONOROF 3,368,571

AUTOMATIC CAR WASHING APPARATUS AND CONTROL DEVICE THEREFOR FiledDec. 1. 1965 INVENTOR.

DANIEL M. HONOROFF ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,368,571 AUTOMATIC CARWASHING APPARATUS AND CONTROL DEVICE THEREFOR Daniel M. Honorof, 511Grantland Ave., West Hempstead, N.Y. 11552 Continuation-in-part ofapplication Ser. No. 437,838,

Mar. 8, 1965. This application Dec. 1, 1965, Ser.

6 Claims. (Cl. 134-100) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Automatic car washingapparatus having a fluid spray conduit and including a devicecontrolling the rate of flow of a first fluid additive into apressurized stream of a second fluid, the infused combination thereofbeing directed for spraying from the conduit.

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending applicationSer. No. 437,838, filed Mar. 8, 1965, now abandoned, entitled AutomaticCar Washing Apparatus and Control Device Therefor.

This invention relates to an automatic car washing apparatus forinstallation about any suitable framework and through which anautomobile may be driven and more particularly to a car wash apparatusthat may be installed about the entrance of any private garage, and to anovel detergent mixing device for use therewith although not limitedspecifically thereto.

Automatic car washing apparatuses for home use have been known. However,it has been found in the past that such systems have inherent drawbacks.One major disadvantage of such systems is that no economical andefiicient device has been provided to control the rate of flow of thedetergent into the water stream. Prior systems as disclosed in UnitedStates Letters Patent Nos. 2,689,577, 2,698,629, 2,752,925 and 3,079,935are relatively expensive, requiring a high degree of maintenance and,therefore, unsuited for home use.

The United States Letters Patent to Peters, 2,613,994, and Alpert2,797,132, illustrate forms of adding a detergent fluid of onecharacteristic to another fluid that is in constant communicationtherewith and flowing under pressure. In such devices, the fluid flowingunder pressure mixes gradually with the first additive fluid to diluteit gradually such that the initial combination of fluids vary accordingto the length of the period of use.

Hence, an object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of generalutility, but which is peculiarly adapted for the purposes of the presentinvention whereby a fluid of one characteristic may be contained inconstant communication with a fluid of a second characteristic that isflowing under pressure and wherein the pressure of the second fluid isutilized in a novel manner to assure its complete and immediateadmixture with and instant dilution of the first fluid while permittingthe combined fluid to be dispensed into the stream of the second fluidfor mixture therewith such that the content of both fluids in theadmixture remains substantially constant throughout their period of use.

An additional disadvantage to prior domestic automatic car washapparatuses is the need for an expensive and cumbersome external frameto support the spray heads in spaced relation from the car while washingthe car. In thepast, the provision of such structures increased the costand complexity of the systems. Accordingly, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide an automatic car Washing apparatus for homeuse which is easy to assemble, economical to produce and maintain, andone that may be quickly and easily secured in position about anyframework or opening, and in particular about the entranceway of agarage.

Other and further objects of this invention reside in the structures andarrangements hereinafter more fully described with reference to theaccompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the car washing apparatus of the presentinvention constructed about the entranceway of a home garage inaccordance with the teaching of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a spray head used in the apparatusof FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is perspective view of the detergent control device utilized inthe system illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along lines 44 of FIG.3, and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of an end portion of the detergentcontrol device.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawing, the automatic car washingapparatus of the present invention is adapted to be connected to theperipheral wall adjacent to the entranceway to "a home garage generallyidentified by the numeral 10. The car washing apparatus is generallyidentified by the numeral 12 and is shown in FIG. 1 as forming asubstantially continuous inverted U-shaped conduit.

More particularly, the apparatus 12 of the present invention includes aplurality of similar sections or spray heads 14, each comprisingelongated tubes. Each of the tubes 14 is provided with a row oftransverse spray holes or bores 16 defined therein (FIG. 2). The sprayheads or tube sections 14 are spaced about and connected to theperipheral wall defining the inverted U-shape-d entrance of the garage10 as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, some of the sections 14 will be positionedso their axes lie or are disposed in a vertical plane. These define thelegs of the inverted U-shaped conduit while others of the sections 14are positioned so their axes lie in a horizontal plane, thereby definingthe base of the inverted U-shaped conduit.

Sections 14 are preferably made of light weight aluminum and areconnected to the garage 10 by any conventional means, as the brackets18. The spray heads 14 are positioned so their spray bores 16 face intothe entrance of the garage 10. Hence, any water issuing or sprayingunder pressure through and from the bores 16 will project and sprayforcefully into the entrance area of the garage 10. The sections 14 maybe conveniently made in two foot lengths so they may be positioned toaccommodate the shape of any particular garage size and entranceway.

Flexible couplings 20 may be used to interconnect adjacent ones of thesections 14 in water-tight conduit engagement. The couplings 20 may befabricated from rubber or any other suitable material and may have aninternal diameter such that when they are forced over the ends of thesections 14, they will be in water-tight engagement and relationshiptherewith. In an alternative arrangement, the couplings 20 may beprovided with ends of the sections 14, they will be in water-tightengagement with the end sections 14. The couplings 20 may be made in anumber of different convenient lengths. The shorter lengths may beutilized to connect adjacent sections 14 lying in the same line and thelonger couplings may be utilized to connect together two sections 14that may be lying in different planes, such as one vertically positionedsection 14 and one horizontally positioned section 14 at a corner of thegarage entrance. An end closure 22 is connected to the last section 14to fully close the same. Thus, the spray heads 14 and couplings 20 forma continuous conduit to receive the streaming flow of water therethroughwhich is closed at one end by the closure 22.

The open or supplying end of the conduit of the apparatus 12 as shown atthe left-hand side of the entrance of the garage in FIG. 1, is connectedat 24 to a water inlet or source of fluid under pressure, not shown. Theconnection 24 forms a continuation of the conduit 12 and is adapted tobe joined with a source of water that moves under pressure such as acommon water out let or garden tap. A container or detergent control device, generally identified by the numeral 26, is adapted to contain afluid detergent therein.

The control device or container 26 has a body 28 that is substantiallycylindrical in shape throughout its length. The body is elongated andclosed at its opposite ends by end walls 30 and 32. Each end wall isprovided with a respective pipe-like extension 34 and 36 that extendslengthwise therefrom. The extension 34 has an external or male pipethread while the female 36 has an internal pipe thread enabling the sameto be connected as a continuation of and as an integral part of thespray apparatus 12 and its conduit.

The axes of the pipe extensions 34 and 36 and that of the body 28 arecoextensive. Provided within the body 28 and spaced from the axisthereof is a chordal dividing wall 40 that separates the interior of thebody 28 into two relatively unequal compartments 42 and 44. Thecompaitment 44 provides a through passage of fluid from the source tothe conduit of the apparatus 12. The upper smaller compartment 42 isadapted to contain the liquid detergent to be mixed with water for usein the apparatus 12. For this reason, the upper compartment 42 isprovided with at least one filling plug 46, although two are shown. Whenone of the plugs is unth-readed from the body 28, a liquid or otherdetergent may be added to the compartment 42.

Each end of the compartment 42, defined by the end walls 30 and 32 has aplurality of apertures 48, 50 and 52. Although only three such aperturesare disclosed, the same are intended only to exemplify the teaching ofthe invention without limiting the scope of the same. The apertures 48,50 and 52 are uniquely arranged in their respective walls such thatwater will pass therethrough simultaneously and be caused to enter thecompartment 42 in a diflused spray, each aperture providing a separateand additional spray to ensure an immediate and complete mixing of thewater with the detergent in a manner to be described. Although thefunction of the apertures will be described subsequently in greaterdetail, let it suffice to note that each of the apertures 48, 5t and 52are disposed in different directions, the side apertures 48 and 52 beingdisposed in divergent directions toward their respective side walls ofthe compartment 42, while the central aperture 50 is directed upwardtoward the roof of the compartment 42.

Mounted within the compartment 42 and on each end wall 30 'and 32thereof is a valve that has an actuating finger 54 extending laterallyfrom a body 56. The body 56 of each valve is secured to a respective endwall for sliding movement by means of suitable securing means or n'vets58 extending through a limiting slot 60 in the valve body. Access to theactuator 54 of each valve is able to be made simply through the openingin which the adjacent plug 46 is threaded.

It will be noted that the dividing wall 40 is positioned above thediameter of each fluid extension 34 and 36 so as to obstruct the passageof fluid therethrough. Each end wall 30 and 32 extends downward intoeach respective fluid extension 34 and 36 to the dividing wall 40 sothat they too obstruct the free passage of fluid. Since the apertures48, 50 and 52 are provided in the portions of the walls 30 and 32 thatobstruct the respective fluid extensions, they receive or dispense fluidunder pressure from or into their extensions, in accordance with thedirection of the movement or the flow of fluid through the container 26.

In operation, the container 26 is connected in the fluid line of theapparatus 12 as shown in FIG. 1. Because the container 26 is, forpractical purposes, substantially sym metrical about a plane drawnvertically through the same intermediate the ends thereof, either endmay be the inlet While the other will function as the outlet. One of theplugs 46 may be removed so the compartment 42 can be filled with aliquid detergent. Prior to filling, the valves at each end may beactuated to close, or open, or partially obscure the opening of each ofthe apertures 48, 50 and 52. In this manner, it is possible to vary theextent or opening of the apertures and thereby vary the rate of flow offluid therethrough. For this reason, the valve is provided with aninverted V-shaped opening which when the valve is moved up or down,opens or closes the apertures. After filling, the plug or plugs 46 arereplaced into the body 28 and the same is ready for use.

The tap water (not shown) is then turned on and supplied to theapparatus 12 and flows under pressure into the inlet extension 34,assuming the same to be the inlet for the purpose of this description.Because a portion of the extension 34 is blocked by the wall 30, theincoming fluid flows under pressure through the apertures 48, 50 and 52and into the compartment 42. The high pressure of the inlet fluid entersthe compartment 42 in a dispersed spray due to the divergingrelationship of the apertures. However, the main thrust of each spray issuch that the fluid entering the compartment 42 through the apertures 48and 52 are directed toward their respective sides while the apertures 50directs the fluid upwardly against the roof of the compartment so itwill spray well forward of the center of the compartment. In thismanner, the incoming fluid completely and fully admixes with thedetergent to immediately dilute the same in all areas of thecompartment. This has the benefit of eliminating pockets of highconcentrations of detergent and ensures a more continuous flow of evenlyconcentrated mixture of tap water and detergent.

Only a small volume of tap water can enter into an exhaust from theapertures, and even this volume and its rate of flow may be variablycontrolled by adjustment of the valves at each end of the compartment.Accordingly, it is possible to control the length of time during whichthe detergent will be dispensed. The remaining volume of inlet fluidwill flow under pressure down through the larger compartment 44 and outthrough the outlet 36 and along the apparatus 12.

The admixture of pressurized inlet fluid with detergent in thecompartment 42 is thorough and immediate and the forceful flow of thesame outward into the outlet extension 36 through the apertures adjacentthereto causes it to comingle and admix with the pressurized tap wateremanating from and passing out of the compartment 44. This resultantcombination then flows through the remainder of the apparatus 12 and issprayed out through the bores 16 of each spray head 14 under pressure.

In the use of the embodiments of the invention, the amount of additivecontained in the dispensing chamber 42 can be predetermined and/or itsrate of flow varied by the valves 54 so that the same will dispense fora specific length of time or for a particular volume of fluid that isdesired to be used in the apparatus 12. Thus, the driver of the vehiclemay drive slowly through the spray stream while the detergent additiveis being supplied to the stream of water. After a period of spray, thedetergent will exhaust itself from its dispensing chamber. At that time,the fluid being sprayed under pressure through the bores 16 will nolonger contain a detergent additive. In consequence, it need not benecessary for the driver to leave his vehicle to close the valves 54.Rather, he need only drive backward through the spray stream which, nowbeing of clear water, fully Washes the vehicle clean. Thus, it need notbe necessary for the driver to stop his car or to make any adjustmentsin the apparatus 12 unless he wishes to terminate the fiow of detergentinto the stream before the full amount of detergent has become used upor exhausted.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out thefundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferredembodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions and changes in the form and details of the deviceillustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in theart, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is theintention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope ofthe claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. An automatic car washing apparatus for attachment to the wall of aframework comprising, in combination,

a source of fluid under pressure,

a continuous elongated fluid conduit adapted to be connected to the wallof a framework to conform to the shape thereof,

means to secure said fluid conduit to the wall of a framework,

spray means in said conduit for-the exit of fluid therefrom underpressure in spray form,

said spray means comprising a plurality of elongated tubes each providedwith a row of transverse -bores therethrough, each of said tubes beingadapted to be connected to the framework in spaced relation from thenext adjacent tube, and a plurality of flexible connectors fluid-tightlyconnecting said adjacent tubes for relative arrangement,

means on said conduit to close one end thereof,

means on said conduit for connecting the other end of said conduit tosaid source of fluid under pressure,

a container having inlet and outlet means to be connected within saidconduit and with said source of fluid under pressure,

said container having a passage to conduct fluid therethrough along saidconduit,

said container having a compartment for containing an additive to supplythe additive to the fluid as the fluid moves from said passage to saidconduit,

means communicating with said compartment to admit the additivethereinto,

a first set of apertures defined in said compartment and communicatingwith said inlet means to supply fluid from said inlet means underpressure to said compartment in the form of a spray for admixture withthe additive in said compartment,

and a second set of apertures defined in said compartment andcommunicating with said outlet means to exhaust the admixture from saidcompartment into said outlet means for admixture with the fluid movingthrough said passage, said compartment providing a through uninterruptedpassage for the movement of fluid from the first set of apertures to thesecond set,

and valve means on said container to vary the rate of flow of fluidthrough said compartment.

2. An automatic car washing apparatus as in claim 1,

a plurality of apertures in said first set each diverging from the otherto direct separate sprays of dispersed fluid from said inlet means intosaid compartment,

and a plurality of apertures in said second set each diverging from theother to exhaust fluid from different areas of said compartment intosaid outlet means.

3. In a device for controlling the rate of flow of a firstcharacteristic fluid additive into a pressurized stream of a secondcharacteristic fluid flowing through a conduit.

a body having divided first and second compartments,

a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet at opposite ends of said body,

inlet and outlet Walls separating said first compartment from said fluidinlet and outlet respectively and extending into partial obstructingrelationship With a respective one of said fluid inlet and outlet,

means in said first compartment to admit the first characteristic fluidthereinto,

a plurality of apertures defined in each of said inlet and outlet walls,

said plurality of apertures in each of said walls being of equal size toadmit and exhaust equal volumes of fluid to and from said firstcompartment respectively,

said plurality of apertures in said inlet wall being arranged relativeto each other to admit said second characteristic fluid into differentlocations of said first compartment simultaneously in separate anddistinct sprays,

said plurality of said apertures in said outlet wall being arrangedrelative to each other to exhaust admixed first and secondcharacteristic fluids from different locations of said firstcompartment,

and said second compartment providing a through passage for said secondcharacteristic fluid from said inlet to said outlet.

4. In a device as in claim 3,

valve means on said body and operable to 'vary the extent of theapertures in said inlet wall to vary the rate of flow of the secondcharacteristic fluid into said first compartment for admixture with thefirst characteristic fluid therein.

5. In a device as in claim 3,

valve means on said body and operable to vary the extent of theapertures in said outlet wall to vary the rate of flow of the admixedfirst and second characteristic fluids from said first compartment.

6. An apparatus including a device as in claim 3 and comprising a sourceof said second characteristic fluid under pressure,

an elongated fluid conduit adapted to be connected to said fluid inletand outlet at opposite ends of said body and said second compartmentforming a continuation of said fluid conduit,

a plurality of spray means in said conduit for the exhaust of admixedfirst and second characteristic fluids therefrom under pressure,

flexible means connecting said spray means together in said conduit andfor positioning of said spray means in a desired relative arrangement,

means on said conduit toclose one end thereof,

and means on said conduit to connect said plurality of spray means tosupport in said desired relative arrangement.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,680,044 6/1954 Smith 137-604 XR1,897,821 2/1933 Poli 134-93 2,058,309 10/1936 Haering 222-395 X2,212,374 8/1940 Louis 137-101.11 2,311,670 2/1943 Lamont 134-172 X2,698,629 1/1955 Hall 134-123 X 3,139,096 6/1964 Harris 134-123 X3,162,427 12/1964 Knudson et al 134-93 X CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, PrimaryExaminer.

ROBERT L. BLEUTGE, Examiner.

